Experts Concerned About Heightened Suicide Risk During Pandemic

Idaho Suicide Hotline Director John Reusser is one of many suicide experts concerned about knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic making at-risk people more susceptible to suicidal thoughts. Safety precautions are also straining resources at non-profit prevention organizations like his.

Heath Druzin / Boise State Public Radio

Extended social isolation. Layoffs. A run on firearms. These are knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also conditions that suicide experts say demand more preventative action for at-risk Americans.

One of those experts is Dr. J.P. Jameson, a practicing psychologist and professor at Appalachian State University, who studies suicide.

“There is some concern about isolation,” he said. “We know social connectedness is a protective factor against suicide risk, so this presents an extra layer of challenges to mental health providers and to the general public.”